Supporting structure for an adjustable appliance



y 1965 J. F. WAHL ETAL 3,184,195

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR ADJUSTABLE APPLIANCE Filed March 8, 1963 frn/e rziaru Mar," enPMa/QZ- United States Patent 3,184,195 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FGR AN ADJUSTABLE APPLIANCE John F. Wahl and Warren P. Wahi, Sterling, llL, assignors to Wahl Clipper Corporation, Sterling, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 263,832 1 Claim. (Cl. 248-458) This invention relates to supporting structure for an adjustable appliance such, for example, as an electric hair dryer that in use should have several positions of angular orientation.

Appliances such as hair dryers sometimes are held manually during use, and :at other times rest on a supporting surface in self-standing manner. In the latter instance, it often is desirable for the appliance to have different angular positions, for example, a forward tilt, a vertical position, or a rearward tilt.

One object of the invention is to provide supporting structure for an appliance such as a hair dryer that is sightly in appearance, economical to produce and highly effective in operation.

Another object is to provide supporting structure of this character that comprises simply a post member and a cooperating base member. The two members either may be used together, or the base member readily may be detached to facilitate use of the post member as a handle.

Another object is to provide supporting structure of the aforesaid type wherein the post member is held positively in vertical relation with the base member, and, alternatively, is held positively in forwardly or rearwardly tilted positions.

Still another object is to provide supporting structure wherein the two cooperating members may comprise simple molded parts. The geometry of the respective members is such that the members readily interfit and are retained positively in the aforesaid three adjusted positions.

Other objects, advantages and details of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein one form of the invention is shown. It is to be understood that the description and drawing are illustrative only, and that the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claim.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of supporting structure embodying the invention, the structure shown in association with an electric hair dryer.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supporting structure shown in FIG, 1, the post member having vertical relation with the base member.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base member of the illustrated supporting structure.

FIG, 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the supporting structure in forwardly tilted position.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the supporting structure in rearwardly tilted position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of post member used in the supporting structure of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the illustrated supporting structure of the invention is designated M). It comprises two main elements, namely a post member 12 and a base member 14.

An appliance, in this instance an electric hair dryer 15, is shown mounted :at the upper end of post member 12, the latter extending downwardly 'from the appliance. It will be understood that hair dryer 15 is exemplary, and

3,184,195 Fatentedl May 18, 1965 that the supporting structure of the invention may be used with other appliances.

Post member 12 and base member 14, as will be seen, are of such shape and size that they conveniently may be formed of molded plastic material. The interengaging portions of the two members do not require particularly close tolerances, and thus the members can be molded inexpensively at a high production rate.

Base member 14 is adapted to rest on a supporting surface, and it has suificient length and width to afford the stability required by the adjusted or tilted positions of the appliance. Base member 14 includes a more or less central recess 16 defined at least by a pair of opposed, spaced wall portions 17 and 13 and a third wall portion 19 extending between wall portions 17 and 13. In the illustrated form of the invention, a wall portion 20 opposes wall portion '19 in spaced relation, and recess 16 defined thereby is provided with a bottom portion 22.

Integral lateral portions extend from the exterior of wall portions 17, 18, 19 and 20 and rest on a supporting surface. These portions also impart strength to resist the strain imposed by the post member when in tilted position, as will be seen.

All four wall portions 17, 18, 19 and 2t and bottom portion 22 of base member 14 are functional in the illustrated form of the invention. However, it will be apparent that in modified forms of the invention, the essential functions may be performed by wall portions 17, 18 and 19 (or 20).

fall portion 17 or 18 or both is provided with a centrally located interior groove 24 extending downwardly from the upper edge, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. As illustrated, a groove 24- is provided in each of the wall portions 1'7 and 18.

A boss 26 extends laterally from post member 12 and is receivable in a groove 24 when post member 12 is assembled Within recess 16. Boss 26 and recess 24 cooperate to provide a pivot means between post member 12 and base member 14.

In the illustrated form, a reduced extension 30 is provided at the lower end of post member 12. When the post member is in vertical position, reduced extension 3% enters an opening 32 in bottom portion 22, thereby fixing post member 12 against rotation. Reduced extension 39 and opening 32 thus comprise a means that in part is located on post member 12 and is spaced from the pivot means of boss as in groove 24, the two mean cooperating to hold post member 12 in vertical position in base member '14.

Opposed wall portions 17 and 18 may be spaced apart a distance such that they embrace the sides of post member 12 in a frictional manner. With this arrangement, base member 14 either is readily removable or the appliance may be handled manually with base member 14 held in place by frictional grip with post member 12.

As illustrated, opposed wall portions 19 and 2d are spaced from each other to have clearance with post member 12 when the latter is held in vertical position. The clearance space adjacent each wall portion is designated 34 in F16. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, post member 12 is tilted forwardly from vertical position by elevating same slightly so that reduced extension 36 clears opening 32 in bottom portion 22. Post member 12 is tilted forwardly to a terminal position limited by engagement between corner 36 of post member 12 and wall portion 21). Boss 26 still is located in a groove 24 and serves as a pivot means, as Well as a point of support for maintaining post member 12 in forwardiy tilted position.

As shown in MG. 5, post member 12 is tilted rearwardly in similar manner, corner 38 of post member 12 en- 3 gaging wall portion 19 to limit the rearwardly tilted position.

In a modified form of the invention, a single one of the wall portions 19 and 2% may serve to limit the tilt in both forwardly and rearwardly directions. In this instance, boss 26 on post member 12 would be located in elevation at the level of the mid point of the wall portion, for example, wall portion 19. Thus, corner 38 of post member 12 would engage wall portion 19 to limit the rearward tilt, as shown in FIG. 5, and a higher part of post member 12, such as the part designated 40 in FIG. 5, would engage wall portion 19 to limit the extent of forward tilt. In addition, a second boss and groove arrangement would be provided on post member 12 and one of the wall portions 17 or 18 to establish a two point looking arrangement for post member 12 in vertical position.

A modified post member 12a shown in FIG. 7 is characterized by two bosses 26 for engagement with the grooves 24 provided on opposed wall portions 17 and 18.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

Supporting structure for an adjustable appliance comprising:

a post member of generally rectangular cross section adapted to serve as a handle;

a detachable base member for said post member adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said base member of molded plastic material having wall portions and a bottom portion defining a recess to receive said post member and integral lateral portions extending from the exterior of said wall portions between the upper and lower edges thereof;

at least one wall portion of a pair of opposed wall portions having an interior groove extending downwardly from the upper edge;

a boss extending laterally from said post member and into said groove to serve as a pivot;

the other opposed wall portions spaced to have clearance with said post member when the latter is vertical;

means interlocking said post member and said bottom portion to hold said post member in vertical position;

said interlocking means disengageable whereby said post member is tiltable forwardly and rearwardly on said pivot to inclined positions limited by engage ment of said post member with said other opposed wall portions, said post member engaging said wall portions in the regions thereof from which said lateral portions extend whereby said lateral portions impart strength to resist the strain imposed by said post member on said wall portions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 191,047 5/77 Graves 248-135 1,116,947 11/14 Steinmetz 248-397 FOREIGN PATENTS 44,113 7/34 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. 

